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The bride and groom aren’t the only focus on the big day, because all eyes will also be on the parents of the happy couple. And, that means you’ll need to look your best as the father of the bride. Luckily, Christopher Legard, Managing Director of men’s fashion retailer Joseph Turner, has shared his top style tips, so you can walk your daughter down the aisle in style.

It’s almost here: the day your little girl gets married! A wedding is always a great opportunity to dress up and, as father of the bride, you’ll want to make sure you look your very best for your daughter’s big day.

However, everything from your colour choices to the materials you wear can have an impact, so it’s important to get them right. If you’re not quite sure what to wear, read on for my expert fashion tips that are ideal for any wedding.

Stick to the colour scheme

It’s likely that your daughter has picked out her dream colour scheme for her big day, and it’s important that each member of the wedding party sticks to it to keep everything looking cohesive (and to show off your VIP status). Although a statement coloured suit might not be your style, a few accessories in her chosen colour can tie your whole look together, and means you won’t run the risk of overshadowing the bride and groom on their big day. For example, if the colour scheme is pink, you could pick out a silky pink tie, pocket square, or buttonhole, matched with a white shirt and light grey suit.

Remember that you’re not a groomsman and you have your own unique role to play, so try to show this in your dress. You’ll want to be different from them, without clashing, so pick out complementary accessories. For example, if the groomsmen are wearing plain ties, try to mix up your look with a patterned tie in the same colour scheme.

The season can also influence the colours you wear. For example, navy and dark grey work best in autumn and winter, but lighter hues such as pale grey and blue look great in the spring or summer. It’s worth bearing this in mind when picking out your ideal suit.

Pick out the most comfortable materials

The weather can hugely impact your fashion choices, and you’ll want to make sure your father of the bride outfit not only looks great, but feels comfortable, too. For a spring or summer wedding, you’ll want to pick lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen, which will keep you cool even when the sun is shining down. For an autumn or winter wedding, you’ll want to choose warmer materials, like wool, cord, or flannel, which will trap in heat and keep you snug throughout the day.

Invest in good tailoring

The cut and fit of a suit can make or break the whole outfit. You’ll want to make sure your jacket and trousers fit well, without being too long or short in the arms, legs, or body. Ideally, you should be able to see around an inch of your shirt sleeves below the sleeves of your blazer. Any more or less is a good indicator that the jacket isn’t a good fit.

When the buttons of your jacket are done up properly, the two sides should fold over each other neatly without sitting too close or too loose away from your body, as these are signs that the jacket doesn’t fit well.

Choose your shoes

For the wedding, you’ll want your shoes to be both stylish and comfortable. A pair of leather bogues, loafers, or Oxford shoes are the perfect choice, as they lend themselves well to smart outfits and, if you buy a high-quality pair, they’ll be comfortable, too.

It’s crucial that your footwear matches your suit, so the colour is just as important as the style. Black and dark grey suits should almost always be paired with black shoes, and light grey suits match better to brown footwear. A navy suit is the most versatile choice and can match either black or brown shoes, though brown is usually the most popular choice.

Add a few accessories

Once you’ve sorted your suit, you’ll then want to think about your accessories. This is a chance to show off your own personal style, without upstaging the bride and groom. So, you could consider a pair of quirky cufflinks or some colourful socks to add your own twist to your outfit.

If you add a watch to your outfit, not only can you make sure everything is running on schedule, but you can also incorporate an extra dash of class and style to your look. Depending on your personal preference, you can go for either a metal or leather watch strap. However, try to stick to an analogue watch if you can, as digital watches can be a little too casual for a wedding.

You’ll no doubt want to look your best on your daughter’s big day. By following the tips in this guide, you can look sharp and sophisticated while you’re carrying out your important father of the bride duties.

For more wedding fashion inspiration, take a look at our dedicated Fashion Look Book, or browse the glossy pages of our magazine, now available for digital download in the Google Play and App Store now.

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